Mönchengladbach, Germany-U.S. coach PIA Sund hage gave their players to revel in their epic victory over Brazil and the love Festival, over a day that it sparked home.

When the team for training Tuesday arrived, it was back to business. The U.S. women are a game from reaching their first World Cup final since 1999-soccer biggest price - and the only one won the last time, what's on their minds now is France.

"I collected it in the locker room and said, ' now we talk about France." "Either you play, or you go home," ' Sund hage said. "I think that the kind of feeling will help us."

The Americans are the leading team in the world and Olympic champion to defend, but they were almost afterthoughts, when the tournament began two weeks ago. Two-time defending champions Germany was the heavy favorite, sure, a boost on home soil to play get. Then there were Brazil, runner-up in the last three major tournaments and under the direction of Marta, FIFA player of the year five years running.

And the United States? It had to win a play-off with Italy only around here and was unusually inconsistent with three defeats in a five month period.

But German viewers are now numbed by Japan in the quarter-finals. Brazil is gone, even the Americans on penalties in one of the most exciting games in the World Cup, losing men or women. And the Americans? They still play, and they go in Wednesday night semi-final with more than a touch of bravado.

"We have what it takes," said Abby Wambach. "It is all just a question of the composition."

This is the fastest turnaround in the World Cup for the Americans, and it has much ado about their fitness. They are the oldest team in the tournament, and had only two days rest between the play. France has played since Saturday, not yet, although Les Bleues had to an emotional "doozy". You beat England 4-3 on penalties, after he on the vulture minute, it 1: 1 to bind.

"It is true, we had an extra day" of rest, French coach Bruno Bini said. "I think that it is pretty fair, because the American team in better shape."

And the Americans out there, tired legs not be a problem. Captain Christie Rampone said it was just running around her teammates on Tuesday training, and nobody looked tired or moon.

The greater concern is the American backline. Rachel Buehler has all but a game of the last two years started and their bruising style of Defense-it is not free "Buehldozer" genannt-- was crucial. But it is for the semi-final suspended after one of the red card for using to Marta in the box in the 65th minute Sunday.

Hope solo intends that help the United States, their 12-game extend unbeaten record against France. (AP) While saying Sund hage in the Buhler wouldn't place, play is, Becky Sauerbrunn worked during training Tuesday with the starters.

"I was lucky enough to play with you [with the WPS MagicJack] so we are very connected in this way", Rampone, who will pair with Sauerbrunn central defender said. "Becky and I feel confident together." "We will see some film on France today, see what little tactics, that they have, what they with their forward, have low tendencies to communicate with each other and we will be fine."

You must, as much as Brazil, France, creativity and flair.

Playmaker Louisa Nécib, it has to the silken touch and deft transitions, Zinedine Zidane been compared, the highest compliment a French player can. Their control of the midfield is offense masterfully, the driving force behind France's quick, fluid. Marie-Laure Delie is as dangerous as they play with 23 goals in 24 for Les Bleues, come two here in Germany including. Gaetane Thiney has scored twice during the tournament.

Les Bleues appear often nahtlose-- no surprise, given that 10 of the 21 players of team-mates at Olympique Lyonnais, are final won this year's women's Champions League.

"For us, it is very important, patient," said Sund hage. "We need to pick up the rhythm and dictate the pace, and we need the midfielder to be more involved." I don't want to make, a stretch play. "Or make it a fight [physical]."

But France has in the past against larger, more physical teams, and they are not much stronger than the Americans come.

Unlike the Americans, who have reached the semifinals at each of the six world cups, this is the first trip for Les Bleues. And they never have the Americans go, beaten 0-11-1 in their previous meetings. The United States has 38 goals in 12 games on only eight for France.

Of course, Mexico never had beaten the Americans either, and look what happened in the regional qualifying.

But the "Rocky Road", such as Sund hage maintains it call, has made her even sweeter success the Americans stronger. Their courage and determination is one of the reasons why they so a huge hit back home, with Hollywood celebrities, professional athletes and people that have never been a football match have seen, before all rally behind them have become.

Beat the United States France should, it would be either Japan or Sweden in the final on Sunday with a chance to gain first team three World Championship.

"Not an option, is to lose," said Wambach. "We want to win this thing, and France is now in our permanent."

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